Last Friday, the NBA announced that they will be launching the global social media campaign, ‘NBA Together’ in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Bigger than basketball’ is a phrase the multi billion dollar franchise has coined over the years. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they are proving the saying is more than just words. Utilizing their massive social following, influence from players, coaches, doctors and more the social campaign will support, engage, educate and inspire young kids who are out of school, fans and families affected by the pandemic.
“The response to this global pandemic is the epitome of “bigger than basketball” as the NBA looks to do its part to help people across the globe come together and work through these tough times,” the NBA said in a press release on Friday.
The initiative is centred around 4 pillars; Know the Facts, Acts of Caring, Expand Your Community and NBA Together Live. From each pillar will come weekly content and resources to assist fans and families make it through the coming weeks. With updates on global health, safety information and other developing resources the NBA is hoping to create a virtual community of support.
To date, the NBA and WNBA players have dedicated themselves to donating $30 million in financial support. In addition to that donation the NBA family committed to raising more than $50 million in support to help affected community members and healthcare facilities negatively impacted by COVID-19.
Although the season is postponed for the foreseeable future NBA fans will have regular access to their favourite players and teams through video and virtual interaction. Adam Silver, Commissioner of the NBA, said in an interview with ESPN that the NBA has a unique task on their hands trying to decide and figure out a way to continue providing the games, sports content, and player interaction that the fans have been used to. While players have been quite vocal about the pandemic, the centred pillars, for now, are the leagues best way of providing that.
Know the Facts
Curated onto the Coronavirus Information For NBA Fans webpage are daily updates and facts on the ongoing developments pertaining to the pandemic. A hub for fans to educate themselves, the webpage hosts resources and advice from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, local and federal health experts.
Acts of Caring
A place to share good news and positivity, followers of the league are encouraged to perform acts of kindness to disenfranchised members of their community. They can then post videos and pictures across social channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok) with the hashtag #NBATogether.
Expand Your Community
Based on virtual interaction, Expand Your Community is a way to encourage mental and physical stimulation during social isolation. Within this pillar is the launch of ‘Jr. NBA at Home’ a series for young fans who’s schooling, sports and daily activity has been disrupted. It is designed to keep kids active and focused on improving their game during forced downtown.
In partnership with Discovery Education, Scholastic Inc and NBA Math Hoops NBA Together will also be providing learning resources to students and parents to help with at-home learning. Short virtual lessons will be made available weekly from some of the NBA’s favourite personalities.
In addition to all of this Headspace and Kaiser Permanente will be providing resources through NBA Together that will help manage mental wellness and host mindful teaching materials.
NBA Together Live
Weekdays and 3 pm E.T. fans will be able to virtually interact with a member of the NBA. Fans will be able to watch and comment on live interviews on Instagram Live. Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers was first to appear on the new live show. To curb game withdrawals on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and Twitch the NBA will live stream iconic games so that fans can relive the best of the best and stay entertained.
Weekdays and 3 pm E.T. fans will be able to virtually interact with a member of the NBA. Fans will be able to watch and comment on live interviews on Instagram Live. Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers was first to appear on the new live show. To curb game withdrawals on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and Twitch the NBA will live stream iconic games so that fans can relive the best of the best and stay entertained.
